Baytril for the dog is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
Of course, you should only give your furry friend Baytril if your vet thinks it is necessary, but not on your own.
This guide will tell you what else you need to consider with Baytril for dogs – application, dosage, side effects and alternatives.
Baytril for dogs: what it is and what it is used for
When a dog suffers from an illness caused by bacteria, it needs an antibiotic – one such is Baytril for dogs.
It contains the Active ingredient enrofloxacin, which is used in both mixed and single infections effective against the following bacteria:
- E.coli
- Salmonella spp.
- Pasteurella spp.
- staphylococci
In turn, Baytril is used for dogs in diseases or infections that affect the following organs:
IMPORTANT
Baytril is one of the reserve antibiotics. It can only be prescribed by the vet and administered by you if no other antibiotic has worked.
Baytril for dogs is available to you either as a tablet or as a suspension.
The tablets are available in strengths of 50 mg, 150 mg and 250 mg enrofloxacin, the suspension is available as Baytril 2.5% with 25 mg enrofloxacin.
This is currently only available for cats, but you may be able to use it for a dog after consulting your veterinarian.
The correct use and dosage of Baytril for dogs
The right dose of Baytril for the dog is 5 mg enrofloxacin per kilogram body weight.
For example, if your dog weighs 5 kilograms, he gets 25 mg enrofloxacin per day.
Depending on the strength of the tablet, this corresponds to ½ a Baytril Flavor 50 mg tablet.
A dog weighing 25 kilograms, on the other hand, gets ½ a Baytril Flavor 250 mg tablet a day.
The difference to most other antibiotics is that it is only given once a day.
You can give your dog Baytril before, during or after eating.
It is usually easier to mix the tablet with the food, provided the dog is not too fussy.
How long does it take for Baytril to work in dogs?
The effect of Baytril sets in dogs after 1 to 2 hours a. After this time, the active ingredient has fully developed in the organism.
The duration of use of Baytril for dogs is then usually 5 days.
In individual cases – namely when there is a particularly severe infection – a veterinarian may also consider longer therapy with Baytril to be sensible.
What side effects can Baytril cause in dogs?
Baytril for dogs can produce some side effects that usually in the form of mild diarrhea appear.
Vomiting can also be a side effect and increased salivation has also been observed in some dogs treated with Baytril.
These side effects usually go away on their own and are not considered to be a cause for concern.
Our tip
You should already administer a probiotic to your fur nose during therapy with Baytril for dogs in order to effectively support the intestinal flora as quickly as possible.
The situation is different if you notice side effects that are not listed in the package insert.
Here you should stop treatment with Baytril, take your fur nose to the vet immediately and look for an alternative to Baytril for dogs.
When should I not use Baytril in dogs?
Baytril should not be used in bitches that are pregnant or already nursing.
Furthermore, Baytril therapy is not recommended if the following factors or diseases are present:
- the dog is less than 1 year old
- the dog suffers from cartilage growth disorders
- the dog suffers from a neurological disease
- there is hypersensitivity to enrofloxacin
In addition, it can interact with other antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol.
Where is Baytril for dogs available?
As an antibiotic, Baytril for dogs is one of the prescription medicines for our furry friends.
You can only get it in an (online) pharmacy on presentation of a prescription issued by your veterinarian.
What alternatives are there to Baytril for dogs?
Baytril is a kind of reserve antibiotic for dogs already the alternative to possible alternativesthat contain, for example, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.
Especially with these two active ingredients, Baytril for dogs can also be administered as a substitute for these antibiotics. Even if the following medications are already working:
- claveseptin
- clavudals
- clavucill
- Synulox
- cesium
These antibiotics are also given when there are infections of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, or lower respiratory tract.
In some cases, a broad-spectrum antibiotic containing meloxicam can be given instead of Baytril if there is bad experience with other agents.
These include the drugs Metacam, Meloxidyl and Meloxicam for dogs.
Of course, your veterinarian must decide whether and which of these antibiotics should be used on your dog and what dosage is the right one.
Have you ever had to treat your dog with Baytril? Then we would be happy if you share helpful tips and your Baytril experiences with us in the comments!